Hose coupler lock



Sept. 5,1939. w. w. WILSON HOSE COUPLER LOCK Filed June 13, 19158 Patented Sept. 5, 1939 UNITED STATES HOSE COUPLER LOGK Walter W. Wilson, Oak Park, Ill., assignor to Vapor Car Heating 111., a. corporation of Company, Inc., Chicago, New York Application June 13, 1938, Serial No. 213,351

7 Claims.

This invention relates to hose couplers for connecting together the hoses or other flexible end sections of the train pipes of adjacent railway cars, and more particularly to a new and improved locking means for holding a pair of such mating couplers securely in engagement.

Hose couplers of the type to which this invention is particularly applicable each comprise a head member having an open end adapted to be clamped against and in communication with the similar open end of a mating coupler, the head having a forwardly projecting arm at one side thereof provided with a cam member adapted to be swung into engagement with a mating cam 1Q member on the side of the head of the mating coupler. Various forms of locking devices have heretofore been provided on the heads of the couplers adapted to be moved into engagement with the projecting arm of the mating coupler so as to 29 prevent disengagement of the cam members.

' Such locking devices have included a sliding wedge-bar which is movable lengthwise of itself and transversely of the head on which it is mounted so that the inner end of the wedge will move over and lock against the upper surface of the projecting arm. There are several objections to this form of locking device as heretofore known. The projecting arms do not always stand at uniform heights with respect to the mating coupler head, and consequently the upper surface of the arm is not always in proper position to be frictionally engaged by the laterally driven wedge. Furthermore, when the locking wedge is driven laterally into frictional locking engagement with the upper surface of the arm, the arm is frequently distorted by the lateral pressure exerted on the arm by the engaging end portion of the wedge. Also; the excessive frictional engagement between the locking member and arm as the locking member is driven into position causes excessive wear of the engaging parts.

According to the present invention, a lengthwise movable locking bar is so mounted on the head that it may be driven transversely into position with the inner arm-engaging end of the bar above the arm but initially out of contact therewith. Subsequently a wedge member mounted above the locking bar is also driven laterally into position so as to swing the inner end of the locking bar downwardly into engagement with the arm. The force thus exerted against the arm is in a downward direction without appreciable sliding frictional engagement between the locking bar and arm, thus minimizing wear of the parts and avoiding any outward or spreading thrust against the arm which might tend to distort this mating arm.

Briefly described, the locking bar is mounted on the head for lengthwise sliding movement between a pair of side guide members extending transversely of the head. The outer lower surface of the bar is slidingly supported between the guides against downward movement, but the inner end portion of the bar is supported over a cut-away portion of the head by a spring. The wedge member mounted on top of the bar and between the lateral guide members for similar lengthwise movement isdriven betweena fixed bridging member and the upper surface of'the locking bar so as to swing theinner arm-engaging end of the locking bar downwardly into .the recessed portion of the head, the supporting spring yielding to permit this downward swinging movement.

The principal object of this invention is to provide an improved locking device for a hose coupler, as briefly described hereinabove and disclosed more in detailin the specifications which follow. 7 Q

Another object is to providean improved locking device comprising a locking bar and a superposed wedge independently movable in the samelengthwise direction, thebar also being capable of a vertical swinging movement.

Otherob-jects and advantages of this invention will be more apparent from the following detailed description of one approved form of hose-coupler locking device constructed and'operating according to the principles of this invention.

In the accompanying drawing:

Fig. 1 is a plan view of a train pipe coupling comprising a pair of similar couplers in locked engagement with one another.

Fig. 2 is a transverse vertical section, taken substantially. on the line 22 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is'a view similar to Fig. 2 but showing the locking members in withdrawn or unlocked position. I

Fig. 4 is a sideelevatiompartly in longitudinal vertical section substantially on the line 44 of The locked assembly shown in Fig. 1 comprises a pair of similar couplers A and A, each provided with similar forwardly projecting side arms B and B, and each carrying similar locking devices C and C. It will be understood that the locking device C of coupler A engages with the projecting arm B of coupler A, whereas the locking device 13' of coupler A engages the arm B of coupler A. Since the two-coupler assemblies are identical, a description of. one will suflice for both. It will furthermore be understood that these couplers are of a standard type (except for the improved locking device C) and will ordinarily be engageable with any other coupler now in useeven though said mating coupler is provided with a different form of locking means.

Each coupler comprises a header main body I into the; rear end of which isconnected the flexible hose 2 or equivalentflexible metallic structure extending from thetrain pipe on the railway car.

The other end of head I is open and provided with a gasket device, partially indicated at 3, adapted to engage against the similar gasket on the mating coupler and thus provide a continuous conduit through the connected couplers. An arcuate cam 4 is provided on one side of head I adapted to be engaged by a similar arcuate cam 5 provided on the inner outer end of the projecting arm of the mating coupler. It will be understood that the couplers are first brought together, each in an upwardly tilted position, and then the couplers are simultaneously swung downwardly so as to bring the cams 5 simultaneously into engagement with the cams 4 and forcibly clamp the gaskets 3 together. With the parts in this assembled position, the locking device C of one coupler is adapted to engage over the arm B of the mating coupler and thus lock the assembled couplers against disengagement.

The improved locking device C comprises the main locking bar 6 provided with enlarged driving heads I and 8 at its respective outer and inner ends; The upper and lower surfaces of this bar 6 may be substantially parallel, or horizontal when the bar is in the withdrawn position shown in Fig. 3, but the inner lower end portion of the bar is cut away as indicated at 9 to provide a locking surface for engaging the upper locking surface I 0 on the mating arm B. In the example here shown the lower surface 9 is inclined or beveled in one direction to correspond to the inclination of the surface In on ami- B. A downwardly extending lip II on head 8 is adapted to project over the outer side of arm B when locking bar 6 is swung to locking position as shown in Fig. 2. Laterally projecting flanges or ears I2 on head 8 are adapted to engage the guide flanges l3 and I4 of head I to limit the outward movement of locking bar 6. The downwardly projecting end portion I5 of head I engages the supporting ledge I8 of head I to limit the inward movement of the locking bar.

The upwardly projecting substantially parallel guide flanges l3 and M are provided on the upper surface of head I, and the locking bar 6 is guided for lengthwise movement transversely of the head between the flanges I3 and I4. The inner ends of the guide flanges I3 and I4 are extended upwardly as indicated at I1 and I8 to support a transverse bridging member I9. In the preferred form here shown the bridging member I9 is in the form of a bolt or pin rotatably mounted in the upwardly projecting ears I! and I8, the pin having a head 20 on one end and being held in place by a cotter pin 2I inserted through a transverse hole in the other end portion of the pin. The lower central portion of pin I9 is preferably flattened or cutaway as indicated at 22 so as to provide an extended slide surface to be engaged by the upper surface 23 of wedge member 24. e

The wedge member 24 is of substantially the same width as locking bar 6 and is supported on this locking bar for lengthwise movement between the guide flanges I3 and I4. Wedge 24 is provided with upwardly projecting driving heads 25 and 26 at its respective outer and inner ends, the upwardly projecting portions of these heads enaging the pin I9 to limit lengthwise movement of the wedge in either direction. The upper surface 23 of the wedge, between the heads 25 and 26, slopes upwardly from the thinner inner end adjacent head 26 toward the thicker outer end portion adjacent head 25.

The upper surface of head I, between the guide flanges I3 and I4, is highest at its outer end, as

provided by ledge I6 to support the outer end portion of locking bar 6, and then slopes inwardly or is cut away so as to provide a recess 21 beneath the inner end portion of bar 6 to permit the locking bar to swing downwardly or pivot substantially about the supporting surface on ledge I6. A spring 28 is mounted in recess 21 for urging the bar upwardly to maintain wedge 24 in engagement with fulcrum pin I9, as indicated in Fig. 3. In the form here shown spring 28 is a leaf spring having its outer end 29 bent around the ledge 56 of the head and secured in place by a screw 30. When this form of spring is used the lower surface of bar 6 Will slide on the outer end portion of spring-28, above ledge I6, although if a different form of spring were used the bar 6 might slide directly on the upper surface of ledge I6.

When the locking bar 6 and wedge 24 are in the withdrawn or unlocked positions as shown in Fig. 3, it Will be noted that the lower surface of bar 6 is substantially horizontal and the inner end portion of bar 6 is above the locking surface I8 on arm B. The spring 28 supports the bar 6 and wedge 24 in this position. It will also be noted that the inner end portions 8 and 26 of the bar and wedge respectfully are withdrawn out of the vertical swinging path of arm B so that it may be tilted downwardly to bring the cams 4 and 5 into locking engagement.

In order to apply the lock, the bar 6 is first driven inwardly to the position indicated in dotted lines, Fig. 3, by driving against the outer head I in the direction of the arrow a. During this inward movement of bar 6 the wedge 24 remains in the withdrawn position shown in Fig. 3, and both the bar and wedge are held up by spring 28 so that the inner end portion of bar 6 passes over the arm B without engaging therewith. The wedge 24 is now driven inwardly by a driving force applied against the outer head 25 thereof to some such position as shown in Fig. 2. As an increasingly thicker portion of the wedge is interposed between bar 6 and pin I9, the inner end 8 of locking bar 6 will be swung downwardly, compressing spring 28, and bringing locking surface 9'of bar 6 into engagement with looking surface II] of the arm B. During this latter operation, the inner end of bar' 6 will swing downwardly, as indicated by arrow 1), the bar pivoting substantially about the supporting ledge I6 on the head. There will be no substantial frictional sliding movement between the engaging surfaces 9 and I ii of bar 6 and arm B respectively, and there will be no outward thrust on arm B which might distort this arm.

The device is unlocked in an obvious manner by first driving outwardly wedge 24 by striking against the inner head 26, whereupon spring 28 will lift the locking bar 6 out of engagement with arm B. Thereupon the bar 6 may be driven to its unlocked position by striking against the inner head 8. g 7

It will be noted that the fulcrum pin I9 can rotate or tilt so as to adjust the inclination of its lower slide surface 22 to the changing inclination of the upper surface of the wedge as it swings downwardly with bar 6.

I claim:

1. A hose coupler comprising a head and a projecting arm adapted to engage, respectively, the arm and head of a mating coupler, and a locking device mounted on the head and comprising a locking bar movable lengthwise of itself and transversely of the head to and from a position 7 with the inner end of the bar projected over but not in looking engagement with the arm of the mating coupler, members on the head between which the bar is guided in its lengthwise movement, said guide members including a bridging member extending over the bar near its inner end, a wedge member movable lengthwise above the bar between the guide members and adapted to be driven between the bar and bridging member to force the inner end of the bar downwardly to locking position, and a spring interposed between the head and lower surface of the bar to normally urge the bar upwardly.

2. A hose coupler comprising a head and a projecting arm adapted to engage, respectively, the arm and head of a mating coupler, and a locking device mounted on the head and comprising a locking bar movable lengthwise of itself and transversely of the head to and from a position with the inner end of the bar projected over but not in looking engagement with the arm of the mating coupler, members on the head between which the bar is guided in its lengthwise movement, said guide members including a bridging member extending over the bar near its inner end, a wedge member movable lengthwise above the bar between the guide members and adapted to be driven between the bar and bridging member to force the inner end of the bar downwardly to locking position, a portion of the head forming a fulcrum surface over which the lower surface of the bar is slidable at a position nearer the outer end of the bar than the bridge member.

3. A hose coupler comprising a head and a projecting arm adapted to engage, respectively, the arm and head of a mating coupler, and a looking device mounted on the head and comprising a locking bar movable lengthwise of itself and transversely of the head to and from a position with the inner end of the bar projected over but not in looking engagement with the arm of the mating coupler, members on the head between which the bar is guided in its lengthwise movement, said guide members including a bridging member extending over the bar near its inner end, a wedge member movable lengthwise above the bar between the guide members and adapted to be driven between the bar and bridging member to force the inner end of the bar downwardly to locking position, a portion of the head forming a fulcrum surface over which the lower surface of the bar is slidable at a position nearer the outer end of the bar than the bridge member, the head being recessed beneath the inner portion of the bar, and a spring in this recess normally urging the bar upwardly.

4. A hose coupler comprising a head and a projecting arm adapted to engage, respectively, the arm and head of a mating coupler, and a looking device mounted on the head and comprising a locking bar movable lengthwise of itself and transversely of the head to and from a position with the inner end of the bar projected over the arm of the mating coupler, members on the head between which the bar is guided in its lengthwise movement, said guide members including a bridging member extending over the bar near its inner end, a wedge member movable lengthwise above the bar between the guide members and adapted to be driven between the bar and bridging member to force the inner end of the bar downwardly to locking position, a portion of the head forming a fulcrum surface over which the lower surface of the bar is slidable at a position nearer the outer end of the bar than the bridge member, the head being recessed beneath the inner portion of the bar, and a spring in this recess normally urging the bar upwardly, there being enlarged heads at the respective ends of the bar and wedge to engage the guide members and limit the lengthwise movements of the bar and wedge.

5. A hose coupler comprising a head and a projecting arm adapted to engage, respectively, the arm and head of a mating coupler, and a locking device mounted on the head and comprising a locking bar movable lengthwise of itself and transversely of the head to and from a position with the inner end of the bar projected over the arm of the mating coupler, upwardly projecting flanges on the head between which the bar is guided in its lengthwise movement, a fulcrum pin rotatably mounted in the flanges and extending above the bar adjacent its inner end portion, said pin having a flattened lower bearing surface, a wedge member mounted on the bar for lengthwise sliding movement between the flanges and adapted to be driven between the bar and pin to force the inner end portion of the bar downwardly to locking position, and a spring interposed between the head and lower surface of the bar to normally urge the bar upwardly.

6. A hose coupler comprising a head and a projecting arm adapted to engage, respectively, the arm and head of a mating coupler, and a locking device mounted on the head and comprising a locking bar movable lengthwise of itself and transversely of the head to and from a position with the inner end of the bar projected over the arm of the mating coupler, upwardly projecting flanges on the head between which the bar is guided in its lengthwise movement, a fulcrum pin rotatably mounted in the flanges and extending above the bar adjacent its inner end portion, said pin having a flattened lower bearing surface, awedge member mounted on the bar for lengthwise sliding movement between the flanges and adapted to be driven between the bar and pin to force the inner end portion of the bar downwardly to locking position, a portion of the head forming a fulcrum surface over which the lower surface of the bar is slidable at a position nearer the outer end of the bar than the pin.

'7. A hose coupler comprising a head and a projecting arm adapted to engage, respectively, the arm and head of a mating coupler, and a locking device mounted on the head and comprising a locking bar movable lengthwise of itself and transversely of the head to and from a position with the inner end of the bar projected over the arm of the mating coupler, upwardly projecting flanges on the head between which the bar is guided in its lengthwise movement, a fulcrum pin rotatably mounted in the flanges and extending above the bar adjacent its inner end portion, said pin having a flattened lower bearing surf-ace, a wedge member mounted on the bar for lengthwise sliding movement between the flanges and adapted to be driven between the bar and pin to force the inner end portion of the bar downwardly to locking position, a portion of the head forming a fulcrum surface over which the lower surface of the bar is slidable at a position nearer the outer end of the bar than the pin, the head being recessed beneath the inner portion of the bar, and a spring in this recess normally urging the bar upwardly.

WALTER W. WILSON. 

